BERLIN (Reuters) – German politicians and car bosses agreed on Wednesday to overhaul engine software on 5.3 million diesel cars to cut pollution and try to repair the industry’s battered reputation.

However, environmentalists said the plan – almost two years after Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) admitted to cheating U.S. diesel emissions tests – was too little, too late, and vowed to press ahead with legal action aimed at banning polluting vehicles.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government has come under mounting pressure for not doing enough to crack down on vehicle pollution and for being too close to powerful carmakers.

The issue has become a central campaign topic ahead of next month’s national election, prompting the government to summon car bosses to try to avert moves in some cities to force bans on diesel vehicles.